LeBron James had a loaded quote after losing to the Thunder
Have we seen the last of LeBron James as an NBA player?
The superstar forward did not say much about what his future plans are following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of a second-round series at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif.
Although he never said anything final with regard to his playing career, the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player did not close the door on a potential retirement.
“I think you guys asked me about [retirement], and I’ve answered questions, the 41-year-old James told reporters, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“I don’t think I’ve come out and been like, ‘Oh, retirement is coming,’” James said. “With my future, I don’t know, honestly. It’s, obviously it’s still fresh from, obviously losing [the series]. And I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds for me.”
James is due to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, as his current contract will expire in the offseason. It remains to be seen whether he’ll continue playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, take his talents elsewhere, or call it a career.
James has won nearly everything there is to be won in the league. But he’s also far from a washed veteran, which one can easily tell from his numbers alone in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
James even arguably had a better performance in the Thunder series than reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In four games, James averaged 23.3 points on 50% shooting, 6.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists, while SGA had 24.5 points on 47.1% shooting, 6.3 dimes and 2.3 boards.
Patriots’ greeting sparks a Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini meme frenzy
The New England Patriots’ social media team pulled a brave move over the weekend amid the constant presence of trolls online.
In wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day via X, the Patriots gave fans and trolls a platform for memes targeting New England head coach Mike Vrabel and former The Athletic NFL insider Diana Russini.
Happy Mother's Day Pats Nation 💗💐 pic.twitter.com/TxYTIxUA9s
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 10, 2026
It was a wholesome message from the Patriots, purely meant to celebrate mothers on a very special day.
But the internet simply doesn’t discriminate when it comes to creating a mess, as fans came up with all sorts of memes inspired by the ongoing Vrabel-Russini saga.
Happy knees deep in a pregnant mother day pic.twitter.com/R5hFIoFGVB
— MaseB🇨🇦🍁 (@CocoMango1979) May 10, 2026
— PurpleBeltMike (@SecretlyBatman_) May 10, 2026
— Matthew (@_ChinChilva) May 10, 2026
Happy Mother’s Day! pic.twitter.com/wWbivHY4VB
— Yanni (@Yanni_Bet) May 10, 2026
— SLIM (@nycdel33) May 10, 2026
— N8 (@N8than_1) May 10, 2026
The controversy surrounding Vrabel and Russini, stemming from photos of their encounter at a resort in Arizona, is not fading away anytime soon. With people constantly digging up details about their past, including a report that Vrabel and Russini rented a private boat back in 2021, the issue shows no signs of dying down. Before that, other photos of the two had circulated online, further fueling the drama.
While Russini has since resigned from her job at The Athletic, Vrabel continues in his role with the Patriots, who have shown support for him throughout the controversy the NFL head coach is facing.
Everyone said the same thing about Cam Boozer’s quote on being a winner
Not everyone is in on Cam Boozer framing himself as a winner just yet.
Boozer, a projected top-4 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, spoke to Andscape’s Marc Spears following the results of Sunday’s NBA draft lottery. Boozer made a case for himself centered on his being a magnet for success on the court.
“Whether I go 1, 2, or 3 or whatever the case may be,” Boozer told Spears. “I think winning and what I bring to the team, my resume, it shows for itself. If a team wants to hang a banner in the rafters, I’m definitely the guy.”
While the comment is definitely one NBA executives would want to hear, some fans were not as eager to eat it up as some of Boozer’s supporters would. Many pointed to the fact that Boozer did not even lead Duke to the Final Four during his lone season in Durham.
Cute quote but he didn’t at Duke.
— Lucian (@Lucian55567) May 12, 2026
Despite having the best talent in college basketball with that Duke payroll they didn't even make the final 4. He's going to learn quickly boozer bully ball won't work against NBA players like it didn't work in ncaa tourney
— A Patel (@unc9876) May 12, 2026
He didn’t hang one at Duke 🧐
— Grizz (@GZGZGZGZBLUE) May 12, 2026
Did Duke win?
— Jeff (@Spyder0316) May 12, 2026
In all fairness to Boozer, it took a last-second blunder from his brother Cayden and a miracle shot from UConn’s Braylon Mullins to keep Duke out of the final weekend of this year’s NCAA Tournament.
But still, the results speak for themselves. Until Boozer actually helps a team raise a banner at the next level, his words will ring hollow among his doubters.
Fans slammed JJ Redick for his bizarre call that backfired in final seconds of Game 4
Several Los Angeles Lakers fans were not happy with what JJ Redick drew up with the team’s season on the line.
The Lakers trailed the Thunder 113-110 with 12.2 seconds to go in Game 4 of their Western Conference Finals series at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif. With the Lakers trailing the series 0-3, all hope left was for someone to step up and sink a three-point shot.
Rui Hachimura made four three-pointers heading into the final possession and has been the Lakers’ most reliable outside threat throughout the entire postseason. In fact, Hachimura owns the highest three-point percentage in NBA playoff history (!!!) with a scorching 51.7 percent clip from long distance.
But Redick decided to bench Hachimura in favor of Maxi Kleber, who had not played a single second prior, for the critical play. Austin Reaves got a look from the top of the key that rolled off the rim, as the Lakers lost 115-110.
Rui Hachimura in 2026 playoffs:
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 12, 2026
33-58 3PT (56.9%)
Not on the floor for Lakers' possession needing a 3.
Thunder win and sweep.pic.twitter.com/JbRSegN5uU
Fans were not happy with Redick sitting one of his most potent outside threats with the team’s season on the line.
JJ Redick watched Rui Hachimura do this and sat him on the bench in the final seconds pic.twitter.com/tQsy00Cn0Y
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) May 12, 2026
Rui been money all playoffs and got benched. Lmao
— Z (@z_strick) May 12, 2026
Leaving Rui Hachimura out of the game in this moment makes zero sense.
— Zach Schumaker (@ZachSchumaker) May 12, 2026
He was having a phenomenal night and completely earned the right to be on the floor—maybe even taking the last shot.
An incredibly questionable coaching decision from JJ Redick. https://t.co/jqwshqzT4c
Reaves still got a clean look at a three, and the conversation would have been completely different had the Lakers star connected on the triple. Kleber’s role was clearly to set the screen to free up Reaves, who is a better movement shooter compared to Rui.
But Hachimura could have likely served the same role while also serving as a pick-and-pop threat to free up space for Reaves. He could have also been there instead of Marcus Smart, who was 0/4 from distance in Monday’s contest.
Redick is widely considered a brilliant basketball mind who had a play ready for the exact situation. But just like what happened to Boston Celtics head coach and Coach of the Year finalist Joe Mazzulla, even the best playcallers can overcomplicate simple personnel decisions.
Steve Kerr in favor of radical NBA rule change that would upset Steph Curry
Steve Kerr apparently has some out-there ideas to improve the current NBA product.
The Golden State Warriors coach was recently interviewed by The New Yorker, where he shared an interesting take on the state of long-range shooting in the league today. When asked about the potential addition of a four-point line, Kerr dribbled the other way entirely; Kerr claimed he would get rid of the three-point line entirely.
“I just think that the game, as it was designed, is really to create the best shots possible,” Kerr told the New York’s Charles Bethea. “That’s why in the early days, you just throw it inside to the big guy. A three-point line came from the A.B.A., in 1979, and I think it was really effective. It makes for an exciting play, but the analytics revolution has created a weird situation where we all know exactly where the highest efficiency shots are: layups and corner threes because the corner three is twenty-two feet and not 23.9, like the up above the break.
“You have this whole no man’s land between those areas. So if you shoot a twenty-two-footer now from the top of the key, that’s considered a really bad shot. I just wonder—and I don’t know if this would work or not—if we got rid of the three-point line, if it would diversify the way everybody would play and create a lot of different creative solutions to basketball.”
Kerr admitted that he has never seriously touted the idea since it’s “too out there.” He’d also wait for Steph Curry, the NBA’s most prolific three-point shooter, to retire before ever wanting to have such a drastic change implemented.
Kerr, who is himself the NBA’s all-time three-point percentage leader, also conceded that shooting specialists such as him wouldn’t have much of a place in the NBA in an arc-less future.
The Warriors head coach has been vocal in recent years about major changes that he believes would benefit the NBA in the long run. The removal of the three-point line apparently isn’t high up on his list of suggestions, but it’s scribbled in there nonetheless.
Dillon Brooks pulled savage stunt to troll LeBron James in Game 4
Dillon Brooks took time out of his not-so-busy schedule to prey on LeBron James’ downfall.
Brooks was hilariously sitting courtside on Monday to watch the Los Angeles Lakers, trailing 0-3 in their Western Conference Finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, fight for their playoff lives at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Phoenix Suns swingman didn’t pick the usual sideline seat often reserved for top-tier celebrities and athletes. He chose one right underneath one of the baskets, which ensured that James would have to look toward his general direction at some point during the game.
The villainous look on Brooks’ face in the background as James shot a pair of free throws in the first half was quite the shot on the NBA on Prime broadcast.
Nah man Dillon Brooks a REAL VILLAIN
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) May 12, 2026
Bro showed up to Game 4 just to hatewatch LeBron I’M IN TEARS 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/noAnFRa7pS
Whatever Brooks paid to land those tickets became worth it, at least in his mind, the moment James was sent to the free-throw line.
Most team instigators stir up beef with opposing star players to create a competitive advantage on the court. Brooks clearly has some real animosity with James, enough to postpone his trip to Cancun to dance on the Lakers star’s grave.
Brooks has basically become the NBA player version of Skip Bayless, given how often he tries to rile up James.
What’s ironic is that Brooks’ Suns got swept by the very same Thunder team in the previous round. But in a way, it’s a win for him for James to suffer the exact same fate.
Donovan Mitchell sets absurd record to crush Pistons in Game 4
Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell had the second half of a lifetime on Monday night to tie the second-round series against the Detroit Pistons.
Mitchell was ice-cold in the first half of Game 4 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. With the Cavs staring down a potential 3-1 hole, Mitchell had just four points on 1/8 shooting from the floor across 19 minutes. He was also getting thoroughly outplayed by Pistons reserve Caris LeVert on both ends of the floor.
DONOVAN MITCHELL AT HALFTIME:
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) May 12, 2026
4 PTS
1/8 FG
19 MIN
CARIS LEVERT AT HALFTIME:
17 PTS
7/12 FG
16 MIN pic.twitter.com/WDFxGnWKfX
Little did every Cavaliers fan in the arena know that Mitchell was about to pull off one of the craziest rope-a-dopes in NBA playoff history.
Mitchell went off for 21 points on 8/9 shooting in the third quarter, missing just one three-pointer in what was a 22-0 Cavaliers run to start the second half.
DONOVAN MITCHELL IN THE 3RD QUARTER:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 12, 2026
21 POINTS
8/9 FGM
2/3 3PM
3/3 FTM
ONLY 7 MINUTES. 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/7Z3Ccx6D3Y
Spida kept spinning his web through the fourth quarter. He tacked on 18 more points to give him 39 total after the halftime break. That tied the most points in any half in playoff history, matching Sleepy Floyd’s incredible 39-point half against the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987.
Donovan Mitchell's 39 points in the second half are tied for the most points in ANY playoff half in NBA history, alongside Sleepy Floyd in 1987 🕸️🔥 https://t.co/DwrWfulS0k
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) May 12, 2026
Mitchell has developed a reputation as a postseason riser. He added to his lore on Monday night, getting his Cavaliers two games away from the conference finals.
Report reveals 76ers’ crumbling trust in Daryl Morey
The Philadelphia 76ers may finally be ready to move on from Daryl Morey.
The Sixers saw their season come to an unceremonious end on Sunday via a sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks in the second round of the Eastern Conference semifinals. It’s the fifth postseason run that Philadelphia fell short of the conference finals since Morey took over as the team’s president of basketball operations in 2020.
The 53-year-old executive is reportedly “beyond life support” as he tries to hold onto his post. According to Philly sportscaster Howard Eskin, the team is “ready to pull the plug” on the Morey era. Per Eskin, the 76ers have been “having serious discussions” to find a new POBO.
While Morey may be on his way out, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse’s job reportedly remains safe.
Morey received mostly praise for turning a disgruntled Ben Simmons into James Harden during his first full year at the helm. But the Harden tenure did not exactly have a happy ending, with the All-Star guard publicly denigrating his former boss on his way out of Philly.
Morey’s more recent gambles have been met with ever-growing criticism. He took his signature swing at a star player when he signed Paul George to a $212 million contract in 2024. While George had his moments this postseason, he looked far from a player worth over $50 million a year.
The surprising trade of Jared McCain has also backfired on Morey, with both fans and Sixers players alike calling it a mistake.
Bears rookie with an awesome name abruptly decides to retire
The Chicago Bears will not be able to get off their Sandy Cheeks jokes this season.
Chicago announced on Monday that they are placing rookie wide receiver Squirrel White on the reserve/retired list. White is apparently retiring at the age of 22.
A Birmingham, Ala. native, White played three years in college at Tennessee, appearing in 38 total games for them. He then decided to transfer to Florida State for his senior season.
For the Seminoles in 2025, White appeared in 10 games but caught just five passes for 52 yards and zero touchdowns. He then proceeded to go undrafted last month in the 2026 NFL Draft.
From there, the 5-foot-9, 177-pound White managed to land a deal with the Bears as an undrafted free agent. But now just over two weeks after the conclusion of the draft, White has abruptly decided to retire.
Meanwhile, White’s real name is Marquarius, but he was nicknamed “Squirrel” as an infant by his grandmother because his movements were similar to that of the backyard rodent. With White ultimately choosing not to pursue a career in the NFL any further though, we will have to keep relying on this guy as the best-named player in the sport.
Caris LeVert taunts Donovan Mitchell during Game 4
Caris LeVert had no love for his former teammate Donovan Mitchell this week.
LeVert and the Detroit Pistons played Monday against Mitchell and the Cavaliers in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series. In the final seconds of the first quarter at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, LeVert got disrespectful with Mitchell.
The 29-year-old Mitchell was winding down the clock for the last shot and tried to get past his defender LeVert off the dribble. LeVert stuck to Mitchell like Krazy Glue though and did not let him through, even poking the ball out of bounds.
After getting the deflection, LeVert decided to mean-mug Mitchell for emphasis. Here is the video.
Caris LeVert is locked in on defense
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2026
Pistons have the lead in Q2 of Game 4! pic.twitter.com/MBMZH53QUh
It is not often that you see a staredown like that after a defensive play (other than an emphatic block). But the 31-year-old LeVert, who was teammates with Mitchell on the Cavs from 2022-25, certainly deserved his moment there.
Mitchell finished the first quarter scoreless on 0/4 shooting and went into halftime with an overall line of just four points on 1/8 shooting. LeVert’s defense was a big part of why Mitchell was so unproductive in the first half, and he obviously fared much better against Mitchell than Pistons teammate Tobias Harris did earlier on in the series.
Mets pull a desperate move amid their nightmare season
The New York Mets are now hoping that a 21-year-old can somehow be their savior.
New York is calling up their top outfield prospect AJ Ewing, Will Sammon of The Athletic reported on Monday. Sammon notes that Ewing, who plays primarily in center field, is the organization’s best position-player prospect in the minor leagues.
Ewing, a 21-year-old lefty batter, was hitting .349 this season in Double-A before getting promoted to Triple-A and batting .326 there. He was originally a fourth-round draft pick by the Mets back in 2023 (No. 134 overall).
Sammon adds that Ewing is known for his speed and his ability to hit for contact. Lately, Ewing has reportedly been flashing elite defense in center field and developing some increased power hitting as well.
As for the Mets, they are the worst team in baseball this season at 15-25. With a number of injuries also plaguing them (including to starting center fielder Luis Robert Jr.), Ewing is now getting the call.
The Mets had a horrific 12-game losing streak last month and have recently been experimenting with out-of-the-box ways to try to snap out of their funk. Though the season is probably beyond salvation at this point, Ewing’s call-up may at least give the local fans a modicum of something to cheer about.
Aday Mara had the most absurd measurements at the NBA Combine
Aday Mara’s draft stock continues to rise.
The former Michigan star Mara posted some absolutely insane measurements this week at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Ill. Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress reports that Mara measured 7-foot-3 barefoot and 260 pounds.
Mara also checked in with a wingspan of 7-foot-6 and a standing reach of a whopping 9-foot-9. Per Givony, that standing reach tied Mara for the second-longest in Combine history, trailing only Tacko Fall at 10-foot-2.5 in 2019.
The 21-year-old Mara, a native of Spain, starred for the Wolverines during their national championship victory in 2026. Mara appeared in all 40 games and averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and a Big Ten-leading 2.6 blocks per game. For his efforts, Mara was named as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as well as a All-Big Ten Third Team selection.
As a junior last season for Michigan, Mara (a transfer from UCLA) was listed at 7-foot-3 and 255 pounds. Now it looks like he is still somehow growing even beyond that.
Right now, Mara is currently projected to be drafted slightly outside of the lottery next month. But with the old adage of “you can’t teach height,” Mara (who also has the backing of a number of prominent basketball figures) might just find a way to sneak into the top 10 of this year’s NBA Draft.
Report: Joel Embiid was not happy with 1 trade by the 76ers
Joel Embiid’s grievances with the Philadelphia 76ers continue to pile up.
The 76ers star Embiid was not happy with the team over the February decision to trade away guard Jared McCain, Tony Jones of The Athletic reported on Monday. Jones notes that Embiid particularly disagreed with how the 76ers traded McCain without getting back a replacement player and that other Philadelphia players were unhappy about the move as well.
McCain, still only 22, was the 76ers’ first-round pick in 2024 (No. 16 overall). He had a standout rookie year in Philly (averaging 15.3 points per game) but struggled with injuries over the next couple of seasons.
Ahead of the Feb. 2026 trade deadline, the 76ers pulled the plug on McCain and sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a 2026 first-round draft pick (at No. 22) and three second-round picks. But McCain has since thrived with the Thunder, averaging 10.4 points a game even in a largely limited role due to Oklahoma City’s absurd depth.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia was doomed by a lack of depth themselves (particularly behind guards Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe) and just got swept in the second round by the New York Knicks. Clearly, Embiid and other players feel like the 76ers could have used a bit more patience with the still-developing McCain.
Now looking ahead to the offseason, it will be interesting to see how salvageable the relationship still is between Embiid and the 76ers. We have already been hearing for more than a year now that Embiid has had some notable tensions with the organization over a number of issues.
Former NBA Slam Dunk champion gets arrested again
The legal troubles continue for one retired former Dunk Contest champion.
Ex-NBA swingman Desmond Mason is behind bars this week after being arrested on May 7 in Oklahoma City, Okla. on a charge of felony theft of property (stemming from a warrant in Texas). News9.com in Oklahoma City reports that a couple claims they commissioned Mason in March 2025 to frame a piece of sports memorabilia but that Mason then ceased communication with them for several months, ultimately failing to deliver the final product.
The memorabilia piece along with the associated authentication documents are reportedly valued at around $40,000. Meanwhile, a warrant was issued for Mason’s arrest in February, and he was taken into custody months later in Bricktown, Okla. before being transported to Oklahoma County Detention Center (OCDC).
News9.com’s report adds that Mason was not immediately booked into jail due to a medical issue but is now being held on “flight to avoid,” which is usually used to describe someone attempting to flee across state or international lines in order to avoid prosecution. You can read their full report on the situation here.
Mason, now 48 years old, played in the NBA from 2000-09 and won the Slam Dunk Contest in 2001. Averaging 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game over his professional career, Mason played for the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2008-09 and also played his college ball at nearby Oklahoma State from 1996-2000.
In more recent years, Mason has been no stranger to getting into trouble with the law. Roughly a year-and-a-half ago, Mason was arrested for contempt of court stemming from a divorce case he was going through at the time.
USMNT dealt brutal injury blow ahead of World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in June, and the United States men’s soccer team is now dealing with a brutal injury.
On Monday, Atletico Madrid announced that Johnny Cardoso, a midfielder for the USMNT, was set to undergo right ankle surgery after suffering a “high-grade sprain with joint involvement.”
Atlético de Madrid has announced that Johnny Cardoso will undergo ankle surgery following an injury in training last week.
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) May 11, 2026
Wishing you all the best in your recovery, Johnny. Get back soon! 👊 https://t.co/N5jqT6zJUL pic.twitter.com/3TjIA7abSY
Cardoso was not expected to be a starter for the USMNT, but he was among the finalists to make the roster for the event.
Cardoso was invited to the U.S. camp in March, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino is set to announce his 26-man roster on May 26 before starting training camp on May 27.
Team USA will then have friendlies against Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte, N.C. and Germany on June 6 in Chicago, Ill.
Team USA also faces questions with midfielder Tanner Tessmann, who is dealing with an injury, so it is a tough break for the USMNT just one month before the World Cup begins.
The USMNT is set to be in Group D, and its opener will be on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
Ex-Texas coach Rodney Terry has landed a new job
Rodney Terry is just a few years removed from leading the Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team to the Elite Eight.
Terry became the interim coach in 2022-23 after Chris Beard was fired, and Terry took the Longhorns to the Elite Eight and then the Round of 32 the next season.
Texas fired Terry after a First Four exit in the 2024-25 season and named Sean Miller the new head coach.
Now, Terry has landed a new job, and it is also in the SEC as he is now an assistant coach for Vanderbilt. Joe Tipton of On3 mentioned in April that Terry was “expected” to join the staff, but it became official on Monday.
Excited to welcome Rodney Terry to Nashville!#AnchorDown⚓️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IEbk2biHLp
— Vanderbilt Men's Basketball (@VandyMBB) May 11, 2026
Terry’s first head coaching job was at Fresno State in 2011, and he went 126-108 with one Mountain West tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Terry then spent time at UTEP, but he went just 37-48 before being fired in 2021.
Vanderbilt is trending in the right direction with head coach Mary Byington. The Commodores have had 20 or more wins and made the NCAA Tournament in both seasons with Byington as the coach.
This season, Vanderbilt was a No. 5 seed after making the SEC tournament final, but the Commodores lost to No. 4 Nebraska in the Round of 32 by two points.
Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte has landed a college coaching job
Ryan Lochte is one of the more decorated swimmers in United States Olympic history, and he is now making the transition to coaching.
Lochte, who has a total of 12 Olympic medals, has been hired as an assistant coach for the Missouri State swimming and diving team, the school announced.
Lochte trails only Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky in total medals (12), and he has six gold medals to his name.
Lochte also posted a video on Instagram explaining why he was taking the job.
It’s a big name added to the swimming and diving team at Missouri State.
According to Yanyan Li of Front Office Sports, the contract is from August to June of 2027, which will pay Lochte $34.10 per hour with an estimated value of $30,000, with the following incentives:
- $750 for an MVC men’s and women’s Conference Championship or Co-Championship
- $500 for each NCAA Championship individual qualifier
- $500 for each relay team that qualifies for the NCAA Championship
Front Office Sports also noted that Lochte’s girlfriend is from Springfield, Mo., where the college is located.
Lochte took part in four Olympic Games from 2004 until 2016, which were in Athens, Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro, respectively.
Lochte made headlines in December after he posted on Instagram that he was selling three of his Olympic gold medals.
Now, Ryan Lochte will begin his coaching career at Missouri State.
Report reveals why the Warriors could explore Jimmy Butler trade
The Golden State Warriors made it official by bringing back head coach Steve Kerr for another season.
However, a big question remains about the future of forward Draymond Green, who has an option this summer that he could exercise.
Suddenly, another player’s future hangs in the balance: Jimmy Butler. The Warriors star suffered a torn ACL in January, but a new report reveals why the Warriors could explore moving on from Butler in a trade this summer, according to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire.
“One situation to monitor involves Jimmy Butler. Sources tell Hoops Wire the Warriors could gauge Butler’s trade market this offseason as they evaluate the roster’s direction,” Amico wrote.
The Warriors had interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo at the deadline, and they should again show some interest in acquiring the Milwaukee Bucks superstar this summer.
If Butler is traded, it could land some assets that could be used in a deal for Antetokounmpo or another star, depending on what the Warriors want to do.
On the other hand, there are some obstacles. Butler is expected to be out until late in the 2026-27 season due to his torn ACL. He is also 36 years old and is owed $54.1 million next season and $56.8 million the year after, so it’s a big gamble for a team to take on.
Nonetheless, it seems to be something Golden State might explore this summer before free agency begins.
Agent Scott Boras has bold take on Tarik Skubal’s injury return
The Detroit Tigers are braced to be without ace pitcher Tarik Skubal for two to three months following elbow surgery, but his agent thinks that timeline might be too pessimistic.
In an appearance on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” podcast, Scott Boras claimed that Skubal underwent a unique surgery to remove a bone chip in his left elbow. The unique procedure, which Boras referred to as the “Skubal scope,” was not as invasive as a typical arthroscopic surgery, and is supposed to shorten Skubal’s potential recovery time.
“(Dr. Neal ElAttrache) essentially went in and was able to see the particle extracted, and the consequence was it was almost like Tarik had had an injection because the needle’s so small. It allowed for (Skubal) to almost immediately return to a buildup,” Boras said. “It allows for a much more immediate beginning to rehab and to build up to pitch.”
THE SKUBAL SCOPE ⬇️
— ESPN Podcasts (@espnpodcasts) May 11, 2026
A new procedure… and a much faster return for the Tigers ace? 👀 @Buster_ESPN https://t.co/6eeNNVIHLg pic.twitter.com/gxVCV1W59W
ESPN’s Buster Olney noted that there is a belief in the Tigers’ clubhouse that Skubal could be back in early June. That would be well ahead of the usual two-to-three month timeline that such surgeries typically entail, and was also the expectation when it was determined that he needed the procedure.
The Tigers have been hit hard by injuries all season, but none is more consequential than Skubal’s. The reigning back-to-back Cy Young winner had a 2.70 ERA through seven starts this season.
Aaron Rodgers’ visit to Pittsburgh takes a strange turn
It was widely reported over the weekend that quarterback Aaron Rodgers was visiting Pittsburgh, but had no plans to meet with the Steelers. Now that story has another angle that makes it even weirder.
Rodgers’ visit to Pittsburgh came as a surprise to both the Steelers and his agent, David Dunn, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter said on “The Pat McAfee Show” Monday that part of the reason there was no meeting with the team is because no one actually knew he would be there.
“When the report surfaced last week, that he was back in town visiting the Steelers, nobody in the organization knew about it, and his agent didn’t know about it,” Schefter said. “In fact, they said, flat out, it’s just not true.”
This is unreal. Schefter confirms Kaboly report. Steelers didn’t know Rodgers was coming to Pittsburgh. And get this. His agent didn’t know either. WTH is going on here??? pic.twitter.com/wDzQusSwl2
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) May 11, 2026
Rodgers loves to keep people guessing, but this is weird even for him. Why would Rodgers visit Pittsburgh without even his agent knowing? How did that information get out anyway? There are no clear answers, especially since original reports claimed he planned to sign a contract while in town. That, of course, did not happen.
For now, the Rodgers wait goes on. The Steelers start voluntary minicamp next week, which could be a key decision date for the quarterback. The conventional wisdom remains that he will ultimately return and play one more year with Pittsburgh, though.
